Improvements are afoot at one of the key gateways into the borough. Please take a moment to respond to tfl’s consultation to show your support. Copy our response below or write your own. In general the proposals look good, but as always there is room to make them better. How it links into our borough has not been fully thought through. CLOSES on 15th March

We have read and fully support the erudite comments submitted by John Griffiths on behalf of the Hammersmith & Fulham Cycling Campaign.

In addition, we should like to make the following points :­

1 The importance should be recognised of traffic flows over Hammersmith Bridge and the dangers which such flows present to cyclists who, on the south side, can approach the bridge by an officially recommended “Quietway”.

2 Nothing is said about the timing of the implementation of the proposals under consultation, which may be critical in view of the planned closure of Hammersmith Bridge for major repair work later this year, and the resulting changes in traffic flows as drivers are forced to use Putney and Chiswick Bridges instead.

3 While concentration on improving the west ­to­ east route for cyclists, along Street and the north side of the gyratory system may have some benefits in terms of cyclists’ speed and safety, if successfully implemented (which is open to some in view of H&F CC’s comments), there are intrinsically greater dangers to cyclists elsewhere in the gyratory system, particularly for those heading south along the eastbound side and then wishing to turn right in order to access Hammersmith Bridge Road. Here they have to thread their way through fast­moving motor traffic both to their right and their left.

Kingston our neighbour was awarded 30 million pounds for its mini holland scheme. It has since been branded ‘Go Development’ details are here. Some quite impressive schemes I think you will agree. We need to help our friends in Kingston ensure that it is executed well so we’ll keep you posted here of consultations or progress. A successful mini holland will help us all when we visit Kingston and will also demonstrate to Richmond how cycling can be a great transport choice when the infrastructure is right.

First task is to take the Wheatfield Way Survey and ask for cycle tracks that are separate from motor traffic.

On 5 May 2016 Londoners will vote for their next mayor. We want to build on the success of Love London Go Dutch and Space for Cyclingto ensure that London’s next Mayor commits to, and delivers, key improvements that will continue to accelerate the growth in cycling and reduce road danger for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists.

There is a huge risk that London’s next Mayor will not commit to making our streets safe and inviting for cycling. There is a risk that the political momentum from the current Mayor, which has given us the Cycle Superhighways and mini Holland programmes, will come to a halt. So, we are preparing the ground for our biggest campaign yet! London has a crucial window of opportunity to ensure that London’s next Mayor is as committed to making our streets safe and inviting for cycling. Will you join us?

Thanks to one of our members working closely with the council’s cycling officer Richmond should be getting its first cycle hangar.

The Bikehangar is an award-winning popular design for outdoor sites offering a safe and effective way to protect bikes from tough weather conditions and theft where outdoor storage space is limited. They are multiplying quickly in London’s cycle friendly boroughs. The Bikehangar can securely store up to six bicycles, occupying only half of a parking space.

If you want one on your street register your interest with cyclehoop, let us know and write to the council’s bike officer. Carole.Crankshaw@richmond.gov.uk

We had a lively meeting in November to discuss where RCC stand on Richmond Park. This is the output which represents RCC’s desires for the Park. RCC will campaign for this since we believe it will improve the park for all vulnerable users.

The council is planning a 20 mph consultation in Barnes. It is worth opening the consultation (here) to have a good laugh at the outrageous hurdles the council puts in place in an attempt to get away with doing nothing. Here’s a flowchart one of our members made a while ago – it looks like they’re following it to the letter.

Traffic speeds are already sufficiently low to allow 20 mph to be put in place eh? What a cop out? Surely 20 mph should be put in areas where speeds are too high!51% of people that live on the street have to agree. Our elected officials know how hard it is to get 51% of the vote – none of them can manage it even when there’s a general election on the same ballot paper.

It feels like these hurdles have been set so that they can get away with doing nothing. Let’s prove them wrong by responding, even if you don’t live in the targeted area it is important to show support from across the borough, if this scheme goes through it will be contagious and we’ll be on the road to a 20 mph borough where walking and cycling journeys are safer and more pleasant.

In Zac’s cycling survey many people said they wanted to cycle more but won’t because it does not feel safe. 20 mph makes areas feel safer and it makes them actually safer, at 30 mph 1 in 5 will die in a collision. At 20 mph 1 in 40 will die.

We think that the area targeted should be made 20 mph even if 51% of the vote is not achieved. More than a quarter of roads in London are already 20 mph with that number increasing all the time. In Richmond it’s less than 5%. Does Richmond council care about making our roads feel safer? Write and ask them.

Nearby Hammersmith and Fulham recently had 71% support via consultation for a borough wide 20 mph scheme. Richmond upon Thames is really starting to look like it is stuck in the 1970’s a 30 mph island in a 20 mph sea. The Mayor gets it, he wants 10 000 fewer road casualties by the end of the decade and that will be achieved in part with TfL’s 20 mph zones. It doesn’t seem like RUT want to contribute to that reduction, because they make it so difficult to get 20 mph streets.

Our response is below- please write to the council and tell them to make this happen!

The area targeted should be made 20 mph even if 51% of the vote is not achieved. >25% of roads in London are already 20 mph with that number increasing all the time.

The area should be expanded to include Lonsdale Road. There are several schools on this road, it is a popular cycle commuting route to Hammersmith station and car speeds are typically closer to 40 mph than the stated 30 mph. Make it 20 and make people stick to it.

Washington Road – RCC welcome the consideration to protect cyclists from right turning vehicles, this is a step towards a creative scheme to reduce rat running traffic, but why not make it cover the entire consultation area. Investigate how vehicle movements planning can be combined with filtered permeability to make the entire area more liveable and encourage short journeys on bicycle. Design the streets so that they can be accessed by all but not used as a rat run. There is an existing filtered permeability treatment at Boileau and Lonsdale which could be used as a model for the rest of the consultation area.

Many Richmond parents drive their children to school as they think it’s too dangerous for them to walk or cycle, this is a great chance to link the schools of Barnes and use this as a model for the rest of the borough

Does it seem like your street is getting more and more traffic on it! It probably is and is likely because of technology. Waze is a new sat nav style app that encourages drivers to avoid traffic and junctions using back streets. It got us thinking!

Local shortcuts are no longer local secrets! That means previously quiet roads are getting busier.

What can be done about? We think that as the way people drive is changing so road designs will have to change. If we wish to protect our quiet neighbourhoods and create safer space for cycling gentle street changes will be required to keep folks on the main roads. A proven method of reducing rat runs and maintaining quiet streets is to restrict through traffic. Access is maintained but motor vehicles cannot pass directly through, the techies call this filtered permeability.

We have written to Cllr Speak (Highways and street scene) to let him know that road designs will have to adapt to new technology. If you are worried about quiet roads becoming busy roads please do the same Cllr.SSpeak@richmond.gov.uk and ask for a ‘filtered permeability’ trial on your street.